Danish royals Frederik and Mary have kicked off their first trip to Australia since taking the throne with a visit to the nation’s red centre.
The six-day state tour, which includes visits to Canberra, Melbourne and Hobart, aims to deepen trade ties between Queen Mary’s adopted and home countries.
The royal couple exchanged handshakes with Aṉangu traditional owners at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre after touching down late on Saturday.
The normally arid desert region was a sea of green after weeks of heavy rain soaked the outback tourist site, sending waterfalls cascading down the famous rock.
The monarchs made their way into the cultural centre for a guided tour during which they learned about the creation of the land and Aṉangu customs.
They also watched a ceremonial dance called Inma that connects the Aṉangu to their ancestors through song and dance.
Frederik and Mary also admired the sunset at the massive sandstone monolith with Indigenous elders, in a stop likely to draw comparisons with the 1983 British royal tour, when Princess Diana and then Prince Charles, now the king, visited the culturally significant site.
Denmark’s deputy prime minister and ministers for foreign affairs and climate will also accompany the monarchs, along with a business delegation representing more than 50 Danish companies, with a focus on clean energy.
“Denmark and Australia share an interest in nature and cultural conservation and elements related to nature and culture will form part of the state visit,” a statement from the Royal House of Denmark reads.
The pair will also meet the governor general, Sam Mostyn, and the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and his wife, Jodie Haydon, while in Australia.
Mostyn will host a formal state dinner for the royals.
Frederik and Mary were proclaimed Denmark’s ruling monarchs in a ceremony attracting wide fanfare in January 2024.
The event marked their 20th year of marriage.
The Tasmianian-born queen, formerly Mary Donaldson, met then Crown Prince Frederik during a chance encounter at a Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympic Games.
The last time the royals visited Australia officially was 13 years ago, making this their fourth tour together.
They are likely to spend time with Queen Mary’s relatives in Tasmania, including her elderly father, John Donaldson.
King Frederik and Queen Mary’s four children, Crown Prince Christian, 20, Princess Isabella, 18, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine,15, are unlikely to join their parents on the tour.